India will tour New Zealand for a marathon all-format series from October 22 to December 1 this year, featuring an unprecedented 10 white-ball games in what would be the biggest men’s bilateral cricket series ever held in this country.

India will take on the Black Caps in five T20Is, as many ODIs and two Tests across five major centres. The 12 matches would be the highest ever featuring a touring side in New Zealand’s history.

The series would be a major landmark as the two countries celebrate 100 years of sporting ties.

The 40-day tour will begin with the opening T20I in Christchurch on October 22. The T20I series will be followed by the ODI leg, which will start at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4.

The Test series will commence at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington from November 19 to 23, while the second and final Test will be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1.

“When it comes to cricket – it simply doesn’t get bigger than India and we’re determined to deliver New Zealanders a tour like no other,” NZC Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Glenn Critchley said.

“This will be about more than just the cricket on the field – it will be a celebration of New Zealand’s shared history and culture with India, and our burgeoning rivalry and friendship through cricket.

“The passion and the following this team has is staggering — not to mention some of the players expected to tour, such as Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah — so we’re bracing for the intensity and fandom that will accompany the tour,” he added.

The series will mark India’s first Test tour of New Zealand since the 2019-20 season.

Since then, New Zealand have visited India twice, including their historic 2024-25 tour when they completed a 3-0 sweep in the Test series.

The New Zealand Government will be supporting the India tour alongside adjacent sporting tours by the country later in the year, as 100 years of sporting ties between New Zealand and India are commemorated.

“It’s always a special occasion playing India,” New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi said.

“They’re an unbelievable cricket team, full of talent and star power – you know every time you face them it’s going to be seriously challenging. The rivalry we’ve built in recent years is pretty staggering and I’m sure this tour will deliver many more big moments.

“Then there’s the Indian fans and the energy and noise they bring – it really is like nothing else and something everyone should experience at least once in their life.

Sodhi was born in Ludhiana and moved to New Zealand with his family when he was just four years old.

“I’m really proud of my Indian heritage and to represent my community out here in Papatoetoe today – literally just around the corner from where I grew up is so cool,” he said.

“To bring my worlds and cultures together here in South Auckland is special and I just can’t wait for the tour to kickstart the home summer.”

India’s tour of New Zealand Schedule

1st T20I – 22 October, Christchurch 2nd T20I – 24 October, Christchurch 3rd T20I – 27 October, Wellington 4th T20I – 30 October, Auckland 5th T20I – 1 November, Hamilton 1st ODI – 4 November, Auckland 2nd ODI – 7 November, Wellington 3rd ODI – 10 November, Hamilton 4th ODI – 13 November, Mount Maunganui 5th ODI – 15 November, Mount Maunganui 1st Test – 19-23 November, Wellington 2nd Test – 27 November-1 December, Christchurch.

Agricultural technology sharing and methods to increase output are a “big part” of the negotiations between New Zealand and India on a free trade agreement (FTA), New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay said on Wednesday (November 5, 2025).

India and New Zealand began the fourth round of negotiations towards an FTA on Monday (November 3), with the Indian team visiting Auckland until November 7. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also visited New Zealand on November 5 to discuss various issues with Mr. McClay.

Speaking to reporters in Auckland along with Mr. Goyal, Mr. McClay said that New Zealand has been innovating over the years and working with its farmers to find ways to produce more and to increase the farmers’ incomes.

“Prime Minister [Christopher] Luxon has directed me in our discussions and negotiations to make sure New Zealand does its part to help Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi meet his commitment to increasing the earnings of Indian farmers by 50% by 2030,” Mr. McClay said.

“So a lot of the science that we have developed here to help them produce more is available to us in cooperation with India and that’s been a big part of our discussion around the negotiation so far,” he added.

Negotiations with India regarding agriculture have been tricky as the Indian government has been steadfast in protecting the interests of its farmers. This has been a speed bump in negotiations with the U.S., European Union, and even the United Kingdom.

“It’s fair to say that on both sides, there are always challenges in a trade negotiation,” Mr. McClay acknowledged. “What Minister [Piyush] Goyal and I have agreed is that rather than our negotiators arguing, we will find solutions together. And so far, I think we’ve made great progress.”

Neither Minister was forthcoming about a deadline by which the deal would be finalised.

“I don’t think we ever discuss deadlines,” Mr. Goyal said. “Every agreement stands on its own legs and every agreement is important. Every agreement is pillared based on the situation in each country and every agreement will happen at the right time.”

“There never has been a timeframe for any free trade agreement that we have negotiated,” Mr. Goyal asserted.

Joining the two Trade Ministers mid-way through the press interaction, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said that there’s a “huge amount of opportunity” for India and New Zealand to deepen their defence and security ties.

“In 2025, there is no way that we can have prosperity for India and New Zealand without having stability and security as well,” he said. “The two go hand-in-hand.”

“That’s why having like-minded countries like India and New Zealand that actually want to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region is very, very critical,” Mr. Luxon said, adding “And I’m very proud of the working relationship between our two militaries and the work that they’ve already done over the last 12 months on some joint exercises. And we look forward to that continuing to deepen.”